Emerging from New York City's Latin club scene, freestyle group TKA signed with Tommy Boy in 1987 after being discovered at a sweet 16 party. They released their debut album Scars of Love in 1987, followed by Louder That Love in 1991.
Noel Gallagher, from Manchester, England, is a celebrated rock and Britpop musician. As Oasis's primary songwriter and guitarist, he penned hits like "Wonderwall" and "Don't Look Back in Anger". He formed Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, releasing albums such as "Council Skies". Gallagher received the 2026 BRIT Award for Songwriter of the Year and has collaborated with artists like Paul Weller and Gorillaz. He is widely known for his influential songwriting.
Puerto Rican-American vocalist and East Harlem native Lisette Melendez helped revive Latin freestyle in the early '90s with dance-pop hits like "Together Forever." She earned a Grammy for Best New Artist in Japan for her second album, True to Life, and later released albums including Un Poco de Mi and Imagination.
Dance/freestyle artist Cynthia launched her career in 1987 with MicMac Records, releasing hits like Change on Me, Endless Night, and the Johnny O duet Dream Boy/Dream Girl. Later signing with Tommy Boy, she shifted toward club music with singles like How I Love Him and Like a Star.
Judy Torres is a dance-pop and freestyle singer known for the classic track No Reason to Cry and the album Love Story. Beginning her career at age seventeen, she expanded into musical theatre and radio broadcasting on New York station WKTU.
Formed in New York in 1986, the dance-pop group The Cover Girls featured a revolving lineup of vocalists. Their 1987 debut album, Show Me, launched multiple hits onto Billboard charts, followed by success with tracks like We Can't Go Wrong and Wishing on a Star.
Coro, born in New York City of Cuban and Dominican heritage, is a Latin freestyle singer. Known for energetic beats and Latin influences, his popular songs include "Where Are You Tonight" (Billboard Top 25 club chart) and "My Fallen Angel" (Billboard Hot 100). He collaborated with producers like Zahid Tariq and once acted in "Miami Vice". Releases include the EP "Unloyal" and singles like "The One Thing".
Harlem rapper Rob Base (Robert Ginyard) rose with DJ E-Z Rock on the 1988 multi-platinum hit It Takes Two, a hip-house touchstone. The single and album went platinum, earning Spin Single of the Year. His 1989 solo LP was The Incredible Base.
Dance-pop singer George Lamond, born George Garcia in Washington, D.C., began as a backup singer for cousin Joey Kid and in Loose Touch. His club hit Bad of the Heart led to a Columbia deal; the LP spawned freestyle hits Without You and Look Into My Eyes.
